Honestly, if you're looking at the 10 day forecast in Gulf Shores AL right now, you might be scratching your head. It's January 18, 2026, and the "Redneck Riviera" is currently feeling a lot more like the Midwest.
Tonight is cold. Like, actually cold. We’re talking about a current temperature of 37°F that feels like 31°F because of a 6 mph northwest wind. If you’re here for the "snowbird" life, you’ve probably already dug your heavy sweaters out of the owner's closet.
The Current Rollercoaster
The next few days are basically a lesson in Alabama's atmospheric mood swings. Today, we topped out at 47°F with bright sun, but the real story starts tomorrow.
Monday, January 19, looks like the pick of the week if you hate the chill. We’re jumping up to a high of 54°F. It’ll be sunny all day, though the night drops back down to a crisp 34°F. Basically, if you’re planning to hit the Ice Skating Rink presented by Pepsi over at The Wharf, you’ll actually have the "authentic" winter experience without the fake snow machines working overtime.
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Mid-Week: The Humidity Returns
By Wednesday, January 21, the wind shifts. We move from those biting northern gusts to an easterly flow at 12 mph.
What does that mean for your beach walk?
- Wednesday: High of 60°F, cloudy, 20% chance of rain.
- Thursday: High of 63°F, partly sunny, much more humid (78%).
- Friday: High of 65°F, light rain, and a sticky 86% humidity.
It’s that weird Southern winter transition where you start the day in a parka and end it wondering if you should've worn a t-shirt.
What Most People Get Wrong About January in Gulf Shores
People see "Alabama" and think it's tropical year-round. It’s not. The 10 day forecast in Gulf Shores AL proves it.
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The water temperature at Alabama Point is hovering around 59°F to 60°F right now. If you see anyone out there surfing without a 4/3mm wetsuit and boots, they’re either incredibly brave or they’ve lost a bet. The surf is currently flat and "clean" according to local reports, so it’s more of a paddleboard situation if you can handle the wind chill.
Actually, the wind is the real player here. By next weekend, Saturday, January 24, we’re expecting east winds to kick up to 16 mph. That’s going to make the 63°F high feel significantly cooler, especially with the 45% chance of rain moving in Saturday night.
The Big Rain Event: Sunday, January 25
If you have outdoor plans for next Sunday, you might want to move them inside. The forecast is calling for a 75% chance of rain with a high of 58°F.
This isn't just a "passing shower" situation; it looks like a steady soak. The wind will be coming out of the northwest at 16 mph, which usually signals a cold front pushing through. By the following Monday and Tuesday (January 26-27), we’re back down to highs in the low 50s.
Things to Do While the Weather Figures Itself Out
Since the beach might be a bit "brisk" this week, there’s actually a ton of local stuff happening that doesn’t require a swimsuit.
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- Winter Showcase Series: Over at the Learning Campus at Gulf State Park, they’re doing a talk on Gopher Tortoise Research tomorrow (Jan 19) and a Civil War history session on Tuesday (Jan 20).
- Winter Concert Series: If you’re still in town by January 26, the "3 Redneck Tenors" are playing at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center. It’s exactly what it sounds like—opera meets down-home humor.
- The Zoo: The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is running "Wild Savings" all January. It’s way better to walk the zoo in 55-degree weather than the 95-degree soup we get in July.
Survival Tips for the Next 10 Days
Don't trust the sun. It’s a liar in January. You’ll see it through the window and think it's warm, but that northwest wind is no joke.
Layering is the only way to survive. Start with a base layer, add a fleece, and keep a windbreaker in the car. Honestly, the humidity makes the cold "heavier" here. 37°F in Gulf Shores feels a lot different than 37°F in a dry climate like Denver.
Watch the tides if you're fishing the ICWW. We’ve got a high tide tonight at 11:14 PM and a low at 10:20 AM tomorrow. With the wind pushing water out, those low tides can get pretty shallow in the back bays.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Pack for four seasons: You will need a heavy coat for the nights (34°F) and light layers for the afternoons (65°F).
- Download a radar app: The rain on Friday and Sunday looks spotty then steady; you'll want to time your grocery runs.
- Book indoor backups: If you're here for vacation, check out the museums in Foley or the shops at The Wharf for those rainy mid-week days.
The 10 day forecast in Gulf Shores AL shows a classic winter pattern: a cold start, a humid warm-up, and a rainy front to reset the cycle. Just lean into the "chilly beach" vibe, grab a coffee at Happy Pappys, and enjoy the fact that you don't have to fight for a parking spot at the Hangout this time of year.